Pump, dream feed, or enjoy the sleep?!?

Jmd527 · June 2014

I have a great sleeper and I'm very thankful for that! Two nights ago he had an 8 hour stretch and last night was a 9 hour stretch. This has pretty much been the norm for at least a week. Before that it was at least a 5 hour stretch and that was mostly because I was so engorged that I got him up to eat as soon as he was barely fidgeting. However, the last two nights are the first that I haven't been uncomfortably full. I'd love to continue these stretches along with my comfort, but I don't want to mess with my supply- as in I don't want it to drop and/or make AF return! I asked my lactation consultant if I should pump, try to dream feed, or let it be and she suggested I pump around 2am. This was in a quick email, so I'm not sure yet what her reasoning is. I just want more opinions, so what do you all think I should do?

Eta: my LO is 10 weeks

BootsOrHearts · June 2014

Sleep! Unless your boobs wake you up by hurting or leaking and then you might as well get up to pump since you're already awake.

Eventually your body will figure it out and start making less at night. I used to pump 2 oz every 2 hours during the day when I was pumping at night, then when baby starting sleeping long and longer stretches and I didn't pump, I started making 3-4 oz during the day pumps, but my total supply was exactly the same - my body just switched it's milk making production to make more during the day and less at night. Just takes time to adjust. Amazing thing really.

lilies&orchids · June 2014

I vote for sleep. I never pumped when LO started STTN.

Juliebird8307 · June 2014

I agree with sleep. My LO was doing the same around that time. I never got up to pump or feed. Your LO will wake up if he or she is hungry. They will probably have a growth spurt around 3 months and be waking up to feed again through the night. So enjoy the sleep now!